Triton Blog
Monday, 12 November, 2018
Easy Workshop Storage Project with April Wilkerson and Matt Cremona
Easy Workshop Storage Project with April Wilkerson & Matt Cremona
Tuesday, 30 October, 2018
Great British Bake Off finalist Richard Burr puts Triton Tools to the test...in the kitchen
We know Triton Tools excel in the workshop, but how do they perform in the heat of the kitchen?We teamed up with The Great British Bake Off finalist Richard Burr to find out.
View full video now! Building a Bake with Triton Tools
 |
When I was on the Great British Bake Off in 2014, Mary Berry remarked how surprised she was that my builder hands were able to produce such dainty bakes. But as most builders know, working with your hands is second nature and having precision with the tools you use is particularly important.
I recently had the pleasure of working on a fun baking project with Triton Tools. Triton make woodworking tools – chisels, planes, drills, sanders and the like. They asked me to make a tool box cake, simple enough. However, they asked me to make it using woodworking tools. Now, as a builder, I am very familiar with the tools of my trade and what constitutes appropriate use for them. So, armed with my trusty pencil, an orbital sander and the all-important can-do attitude I set to work.
I’m in the middle of rebuilding my own kitchen, and Triton’s tools have come in so useful for this. As my home kitchen is a work in progress, we were filming across the road in my parents’ house this time, in the kitchen where I learned to cook years ago. My Dad and I built a new kitchen here recently, so gone is all the evidence of my youthful cooking disasters including (but not limited to) pan burns in the lino, burn marks on the ceiling, gouges in the worktops, and one broken window. Sorry Mum!
If you’re going to construct something out of food, gingerbread is a good place to start. Not only is it strong, stable and easy to shape, but when made correctly it is delicious – especially if you have a good supply of tea for dunking. Sticking with the ginger theme, I made a ginger sponge cake to line the toolbox.
I used a Triton cordless electric drill to whisk the cake mix but fitted it with a balloon whisk attachment. This was the first time I’d mixed a cake with a cordless drill but it worked so well I might end up keeping one in the kitchen permanently.
With the sponge in the oven, it was time for the main event – the gingerbread. No matter the time of year, as soon as I smell gingerbread in a kitchen it makes me think of Christmas. The gingerbread recipe in my book, B.I.Y. Bake It Yourself, is perfect for building bakes – it’s both delicious and stable.
I always roll my gingerbread out on a piece of parchment paper to about 3mm thick – the thickness of a pound coin. For this Triton project, I pre-made templates for the box and the tools and dusted them with flour, so they didn’t stick to the raw gingerbread. Once the shapes were cut and in the oven it was time to get the kettle on again – baking is always thirsty work! My top tip for gingerbread construction: half way through the bake, take the gingerbread out of the oven, put the templates back over them and cut away any gingerbread that has expanded beyond their original shapes. Then pop them back in the oven and finish baking.
When the gingerbread had cooled, Triton’s gear came into play. I set the toolbox pieces in a massive Triton SuperJaws vice and set to smoothing off the edges. For this I used an orbital sander, like all bakers should! Seriously – the fine, straight edge an orbital sander gives to a piece of gingerbread is astonishing! If I’d had one of those in the tent I would have been a happy man. I used the Triton orbital sander again at work today to sand some oak worktops and I can assure you the saw dust wasn’t as tasty this time around. The sides of the toolbox were designed to slot together so with my gingerbread still clamped I used my sharp chisels to tidy up the interlocking parts.
Once I had built the body of the box I reinforced it with a little royal icing – mixed up using my balloon whisk and drill combo again – and left it to set while I decorated my gingerbread tools. The easiest way to decorate gingerbread (or any biscuits) is using the flooding technique. To do this, I pipe the outline of each tool, along with a little detail and leave the icing to dry for 10 minutes – the exact time it takes to make and drink another cup of tea. Once the icing had set, I flooded the biscuits. I made some more icing and coloured it. This icing needs to be a looser mix that will flow when piped. I piped this directly on to the gingerbread tools and it sets with a smooth glossy surface. With the edible tools now set aside to dry I could crack on with my toolbox.
The ginger sponge I made at the start of the day had well and truly cooled so it was its turn to go into the Triton vice for cutting to shape, which now seems like a perfectly normal thing to do with a sponge cake! I used a tape to measure the inside dimensions of the toolbox and marked them on the sponge. Using a Triton handheld oscillating saw I cut the sponge exactly to size. Honestly, I don’t reckon I’ll ever need a knife in the kitchen again! I laid the sponge in the toolbox box with some ginger buttercream and filled it with the gingerbread tools. The final touch was slotting the rice-crispie and marshmallow handle through the toolbox holes and we are done. Without a doubt, the most precise baking job I’ve completed in a while – thanks Triton!
Saturday, 20 October, 2018
Triton goes BOOM!
We visited BOOM Festival in Portugal to see how Daniel Popper and team used the Triton Range to create his 12-metre tall wooden masterpiece ‘Emergence’.
Creative Director /Lead artist : Daniel Popper Crew: Brett Blake, Marinus Kriek, Brian Tompkins, Robert Bernicchi, Samuel Murgatroyd, Daniel Graham Projection mapping : Wayne Ellis Check out Daniel Popper's other work: http://www.danielpopper.com/
Thursday, 10 August, 2017
Woodworking Book Review - Joinery by the Editors of Fine Woodworking
The editors at Fine Woodworking have a reputation for delivering great information - well-presented and backed up by real expertise. so if you pick up one of their volumes, you expect it to be right on the money and this one is no exception. compiled form a series of articles previously published on the magazine, this is a collection of joinery techniques from the most basic to some seriously advanced stuff.
Some people may worry that a publication that placed emphasis on hand tool work might be setting them up to fail (I have heard on more than once occasion it can be like watching a historical re-enactment rather than modern woodworking techniques!), but this book presents joinery techniques for both hand and power tools in equal measure.
As for the layout of the book, it starts with straightforward rabbet, dowel and pocket hole joints, and gradually turn the screw to introduce increasingly more complex techniques that may take a while to master. I like the fact that attention to details on simple joints is taken seriously, so even if this is your first attempt, critical, straightforward instructions have not been glossed over. There is also no attempt to knock the use of machined joints such as biscuits joints, which for some purists have no place.
One section I think makes brilliant reading is the 'shoot out' test, where the editors have worked with a testing lab to evaluate the structural strength of a range of joints under a standard load test. The results may surprise you! I'm not going to offer a spoiler a this point, suffice to say that some of the most popular fast jointing systems didn't stand up to the test nearly as well as many of the more traditional shop-made joints. Sure, they are quick to carry out, and may well be sufficient for the needs of the piece envisaged, but you can't always know how something might be treated long term. It makes a good read anyhow.Several people we interviewed for the blog and Triton YouTube channel in the past told us that no matter how good you get, covering up your mistakes has a vital part to play in getting better results. This book has a great section on correcting common mistakes as well as lots of advice on how to avoid them in the first place. So if you are jsut starting out or want to improve your craft with anew challenge, this book is a great investment. Sure, you can watch a video on YouTube, but there is something very satisfying about quality book (with no annoying adverts) that you can read at your own place.
Joinery by Editos of Fine Woodworking is published by Taunton Press ASBN 978-1-63186-448-3
Tuesday, 20 June, 2017
Best of the Woodworking web - How to build a strip canoe
‘Wood stuff, boat stuff, other stuff’ is where creator of A Guy Doing Stuff stands for.
In 2015 Adam built his first canoe, as a perfectionist he was really unhappy with his first attempt that had flaws and was undocumented.
With the idea of making fast paced, instructional video series he successfully started a YouTube channel which now includes the 18-video series about the 8 month canoe project. Although, keep an eye on Adams channel for more projects to follow as he loves presenting big woodworking projects in a way that shows they are accessible to the average person that wants to make something amazing.
To see more of Adams work check out his instagram https://www.instagram.com/aguydoingstuff/
Wednesday, 3 May, 2017
How to make a classic bookcase - A Woodworkers Journal project
Last year Triton challenged the team at Woodworkers Journal to come up with a project to show off the versatility and accuracy of the TWX7 Workcentre. They didn’t disappoint with a great project build and plans set for a classic Tool Chest if you missed that post catch it here. Tool Chest Project
This time round the challenge is a little different; we wanted the team to show how you could make a quality piece of furniture with a greatly reduced set of power tools. If your relatively new to woodworking and haven’t yet committed to a table saw or simply don’t have room for one in your workspace, can you still make a great project that will be something to shout about?
Well Chris Marshall picked up the challenge and using a Track saw, a Router and Triton's Dowel Jointer and came up a classic bookcase made from regular dimensional timber that would look great in any home.
You can down load the full plans for this project at this link Book Case plans
Monday, 20 March, 2017
How to make eye catching wooden sunglasses
In previous posts we have met the team at InBo in France and seen their process to make both bamboo bikes and high performance long boards. If you missed any of those check out the links below (or search #Mastersofwood for all our related content).In this post we see the other quality product line they have developed custom wooden eyewear. From selecting and preparing the stock to the finished article they are concentrating on comfort and style. There are some specialist tools in the process but the principles behind it are making each step accurate and repeatable with the use of bespoke jigs, which is not uncommon for many woodworkers.
Original InBo Interview
InBo Bamboo Bikes
InBo Long boards
Monday, 20 February, 2017
Meet the Period Craftsman, Freddy Roman
In this illustrated audio interview I was particularly interested to hear what attracts a young man to work with old furniture within his restoration business, whilst still being attracted to modern design albeit with his signature touches. I could summarize it by saying an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship but you judge for yourself by listening to Freddy in his own words.
Be sure to check out some of Freddy’s work at his websitewww.periodcraftsmen.com or follow him on Instagram periodcraftsmen.
Friday, 3 February, 2017
All LADS together
We have talked about the great work that the Mens Sheds movement is making on the blog a couple of time previously, on occasion we get to meet some of the shedders and see what they are working on . When we had an invite from the LADS (Littlehampton and District Sheds) telling us about their renovated premises in an old ship yard in Sussex England it sounded too good to miss. So on a chilly January morning we met up with the shedders who told us about the two sheds in their district and their project to renovate what had become a fairly run down storehouse, into a place where they can meet and work together on community projects. There is a real mix of skills here like most sheds we visit, from people who have never picked up a tool to retired craftspeople and tradesmen. If you want to learn new skills and get involved you can, but if you want a place to meet up with new mates drink plenty of tea and a chance to have a natter about things with a common interest this is a great place to start. This is the short film we made with the LADS many thanks to them for sharing their stories as well as a great cup of tea and bagels!
Triton is the official tool suppliers for the UKMSA. You can find out a lot more about the UK Mens Sheds association and advice about starting a shed in your area at their website.
Friday, 13 January, 2017
Best original woodworking content of 2016
At the end of the year we wanted to share a review of some of the best original content from the Triton blog of 2016. It’s been a busy year for us filming in Europe and the USA to bring you stories about woodworkers and their lives, as well as sharing tips, ideas and book reviews. If you have any ideas for new content you would like us to produce in 2017 please do get in touch or leave a comment and thanks for connecting with us this year.
Timber Mountain Men Colorado A beautiful film in a stunning location high in the mountains above Colorado springs.
PeytonHigh School Woods Program. A community determined to offer great vocational education brings disused buildings back to life with the support of awesome volunteers.
Aprils Paintcabinet. Triton Brand Champion April Wilkerson shows you how to make a mobile paint cabinet for the workshop.
Makingspace, we visit the Dallas Makerspace an outstanding organisation giving people the opportunity to make and create together.
Architecturalmodel maker Charlie Palmer talks about the craft of putting a city block on your desktop
Marc Besniera craftsman whose business Au Fil Du Bois makes quality wooden sleds and dog carriages
In August we returned to catch up with Ben Crowe at Crimson guitars two years on from our initial visit to find a very different business and a happy guitar maker on great form.
Towards the end of the year we introduced our latest Brand Champion Matt Cremona from Minnesota USA with an insight into the man as well as some additional films made together with April Wilkerson. We will be seeing a lot more of both Matt and April in 2017.
Keep up with all our activity supporting the woodworking community by following us on Instagram , Facebook YouTube and Twitter and by following our blog here on the Triton Tools website.
Monday, 9 January, 2017
Setting up a hand plane with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
Using a properly set up hand plane is a really satisfying thing to do. A gentle hiss as it glides across your board and wafer thin curly shavings fall to the floor. But if you don’t set it up properly or have a blunt blade installed it’s a very different story of frustration, chattering blades and damaged boards. If you have just got your hands on a fancy brand new plane or want to breathe life into an older vintage model you have to set the thing up properly before use. In this film Triton brand champions Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson look at the process of setting up and tuning a hand plane.Tuesday, 3 January, 2017
Sharpening tips with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
Using really sharp tools is a great idea when your woodworking, it produces better results is really satisfying and is inherently safer as you apply less pressure and have more control with a sharp edge, this should not be a revelation to most of our readers. But just what is the best way to get a really good edge on your tools? There are complete books on sharpening and guys who make a living from going round shows demonstrating techniques and selling all kinds of jigs and tools to make the job easier or more accurate. In reality the process is relatively simple and the tools you use are a lot more to do with personal preference and the size of your pocket book than anything else. In this film Triton brand champions Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson look at the basics of sharpening a chisel and how that can be applied to many other tools. Check out Matt’s top tip for keeping an edge on your tools and avoid sharpening altogether.Friday, 16 December, 2016
Woodworking Book Review : Tiny Boxes 10 Skill Building Box Projects By Doug Stowe
For lots of woodworkers making boxes is a great way to develop their skills of design and practical technique. They are terrific for extending your woodworking repertoire as well as providing a ready source of gifts or useful storage places for all those bits and pieces we tend to hold onto “just in case”. There are quite a few books out there to help with this so is this one worth the dollars?First up Doug Stowe writes great copy, it’s easy to read and to understand what he is getting at. Often design sections of these books can get a bit too wordy, a bit artsy if you know what I mean. In this book Doug is straight forward about what he likes and how it’s achieved. The basic layout of the book is simple. Ten projects each require a slightly higher level of skill to achieve. They are all set out in a logical order, an introduction to each box and some discussion on its form and design. Simple to follow instructions on how to make the box together with some tips for variations on the theme, are supported with some good photography as well as excellent sketch illustrations.
The projects here are as the title suggests small scale so you don’t have to have a lot of shop space or invest in great quantities of expensive stock to make them. To complete everything though you would need a well-equipped shop (Band saw, Router table, Lathe) but Doug offers plenty of tips on how to achieve results with a less sophisticated arsenal. There is a great section on creating some custom inlay and I particularly liked the section on creating tiny versions of the classic bentwood box.
If you want to take on a real challenge the final box in the set is a Japanese puzzle box. This not only looks amazing it’s a fiendishly clever and would be a very satisfying thing to produce and show off to your pals. As with most quality woodworking books there are hints and tips throughout and plenty of “that’s a great idea” moments thrown in.
So back to my original question is it worth the dollars? In short yes, it’s a good book to browse and a great book to work from, progressively building up your skills. For the experienced woodworker there are some challenges to overcome as you are operating at the smaller end of the scale. For the novice it’s a great way to improve your skills and have inspiring projects to work towards.
Tiny Boxes . . . 10 Skill Building Box Projects by Doug Stowe is available from thegmcgroup.com and other retailers online. ISBN-978-1-63186-447-6
Friday, 9 December, 2016
A Guide to Milled Timber with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
As your woodworking journey progresses, most people shift from using highly stable man made board for their projects; to more decorative and satisfying to work with natural timbers.
Understanding the grain direction in a board makes a huge difference to both the structural properties of your projects and how they will look when finished. You also need to figure out how the board may move over time, given that natural timber never really stops reacting to the environment it’s in.
Triton Brand Champion Matt Cremona talks to April Wilkerson about the terms associated with milled timber, and how to take account of the properties it can exhibit over time.
Friday, 2 December, 2016
How to “read a tree” with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
Many woodworkers actively seek out timber with interesting or decorative grain patterns for their work. For most of us that means a hunt through the slabs already cut in the timber yard to find the perfect piece to work with. However for Triton Brand Champion, Matt Cremona searching for interesting figure in timber starts by understanding how trees grow and the forces at work to shape their internal structures. In this film Matt talks to April Wilkerson about the process of reading a tree as it stands to understand the hidden treasures within.Friday, 18 November, 2016
In conversation with Matt Cremona
Matt Cremona is an emerging star from the rapidly-growing community of craft professionals who generate at least part of their income from sharing knowledge and skills online to encourage the next generation of woodworkers.
Where Matt differs from most however, is his unique enthusiasm and experience of taking his work all the way from milling his own locally-salvaged timber, to creating fine furniture and other projects. Matt shares his work via his weekly shop updates on his YouTube channel, his website, a very active Instagram account, and regular podcasts with fellow woodworkers.
Matt’s content features not only his own work and progress on current projects but also the work of others, who send him their own project details, as inspiration for the wider community.
In this short film, Matt talks about the motivation behind his career change from software engineer to professional woodworker and communicator. Matt is working with Triton, supporting our brand champion program, providing feedback for product development, and supporting Triton with personal appearances at major trade shows and exhibitions.
Check out Matts great content on his website www.mattcremona.com and by subscribing to his channel onYouTube or follow daily progress on his projects on Instagram.
Thursday, 27 October, 2016
Woodworking Book Review; Good Clean Fun , Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop
(Dutton)
By Nick Offerman
This friend is a proper woodworker’s book. If you are deep into craft with many years of experience, you will appreciate the subtext of the writing and some of the fine details. If you have just been bitten by the woodworking bug and are still at the dreaming stage of setting up your shop, this will fire you up with enthusiasm to get on with it without delay.
What’s more, on days when you just can’t get into the shop (does that actually ever happen?) this book will fill the void with tales of daring do and sawdust from some of the coolest woodworkers in America. Nick’s style of writing is easy going and straight to the point with a satisfying seasoning of well-timed humour throughout.
After an initial and very readable introduction to essential tools and workshop set-up, there is a really good section on the properties of wood and how boards are cut. Doesn’t sound like much, but if you are new to the ways of the saw; this is devilishly useful info when you want to sound convincing at the lumber yard.
Now the main event of this very readable volume is an introduction to a cast of fine woodworking folks who share an absolute passion for making stuff; and have crossed paths with Nick and his studio over time. Firstly, each of these twenty characters is introduced in a very readable preamble which gives you a flavour of their own particular brand of wood fever. Secondly, you get some delightful projects presented by their makers and some pretty detailed instructions; some accompanied with great illustrations to help you make them if you choose to take up the challenge. Some are complex and require serious time and skill, but you can start with a small but beautifully detailed kazoo, and who wouldn’t want one of those?
Throughout the book are some beautiful images. ‘Wood Porn’ is a fair description as well as some original pop art and illustrations. There is a smattering of side articles on subjects as diverse as beard culture and workshop fashion; all presented with the level of irreverence and smart humour that are the hallmarks of this really great book. Undoubtedly this is a terrific book with some great original projects to pick up, either to do or to dream about making in your own fashion. But more than that, it sets out in print what the modern world of woodworking or making with wood is about. It’s a kick back at conformity and the mass produced in favour of creativity and rediscovery of craft skills. Not just for those lucky enough to make their living from working with wood, but for the millions of us who enjoy freedom of expression made real by our own hands.
Good Clean Fun, Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop by Nick Offerman is available from thegmcgroup.com, and other retailers online. ISBN-978-1-101-98465-9.
Wednesday, 28 September, 2016
Once upon a tree; Il Etait Un Arbre.
Despite one of the founders growing up working with steel, the company have discovered the beauty that working with wood can offer- as well as offering an ecological benefit too, which was the inspiration behind creating the company. ‘Wood is a bio based material, completely renewable- we are working with a living organism and there’s a special feeling that comes with that.’
Friday, 16 September, 2016
Best of the Woodworking Web- Theres no place like here: Liberty Tool
In honour of #DIYweek our Best of the Woodworking Web post shows H.G "Skip" Brack who salvages tools from all over New England to resell at affordable prices; making DIY accessible to everyone.Through this, H.G "Skip" Brack supports his local economy and craftsmen- He salvages up to 1 and a half tons of tools each week and resells at affordable prices. 'I price things intuitively, but I do it so people can afford it. People around here aren't rich, and I'm conscious of that.'
There's No Place Like Here: Liberty Tool from Etsy on Vimeo.
Friday, 19 August, 2016
Crimson Guitars Revisited
We first visited Ben Crowe at Crimson Guitars, based in Dorset in the UK, in early 2014. At that time, Ben was pretty much flat out getting his fledgling specialist custom guitar business off the ground. His infectious mix of enthusiasm, passion for his craft and commitment to spreading the word with a relentless social media schedule was difficult to resist.
A couple of years on and this dedicated #MasterofWood has grown his business making guitars and a line of specialist luthiers tools for building and repairing string instruments. He also trains and educates his growing team of talented luthiers and apprentices, plus the wider fan base that follow him on YouTube.
We thought it was time to catch up again with Ben and see where Crimson Guitars have got to two years on. The transformation is truly impressive.
If you missed the original post catch it here Crimson Guitars March 2014
Wednesday, 10 August, 2016
Best of the WoodWorking Web- Natural Goods
Our Best of The Woodworking Web post tells the story of Luca Bressan, a designer born by The Dolomites; a mountain range located in north-eastern Italy. His love for the ocean and wildlife created a 'cultural clash' between forest and saltiness. This short documentary by Marco Mucig 'Natural Goods' showcases Luca's passion for creating high performance surfboards using the best from nature. His idea of building surfboards and living in the mountains might sound crazy, but when Luca found out that madness was possible, the world became a different place. His background as a product designer, growing up around nature and his innovative eye made his passion for surf shaping incredibly natural to allow him to create uniquely crafted surfboards that no one had achieved before.For more information about Luca and his work, visit www.solosurfboards.com
Monday, 1 August, 2016
Build and heirloom tool chest, free to download project plans
Launched in 2015 the Triton TWX7 Workcentre is proving a real hit with woodworkers. Its combination of workbench, precision router table and table saw is the core of a great workshop set up. We challenged the team at Woodworkers Journal to come up with a quality project that could be completed on the Workcentre. Chris Marshall accepted that challenge and has produced this terrific project plan and accompanying video to build a quality tool chest that would look great in any workshop. You can watch the video of the project build below and download the full plans and step by step guidance from this link. Triton Tool Chest Plans
For anyone who completes this project and shares a picture of the finished piece with us via Facebook or Twitter we will send you a unique Triton care package.
Wednesday, 13 July, 2016
How to make a picture frame with no mitres
Picture frames are a regular for the woodworker. They make a great gift or quick project to add a nice touch around the home. But you don’t always have to go to the trouble of a full mitred joint. Sometimes a simple joint done well using a quality timber and well finished is all you need. In this video George Vondriska from Woodworkers Guild of America shows us how to make a simple, frame with no mitres on the Triton TWX7 Workcentre. Be sure to check out the full and extensive online library of resources at www.wwgoa.com
Thursday, 30 June, 2016
Wooden Sled Maker – Marc Besnier
Our latest Master of Wood is Marc Besnier a craftsman whose business Au Fil Du Bois is based on a beautiful hill top in Ardecshe, Southern France. Marc creates high performance dog sleds and wooden luges. Some are bespoke creations, fitted to the user’s size and weight, destined for use in the harshest sub-zero environments as a critical element of a polar expedition. Whilst the smaller luge can be seen in smart resorts across the Alps and beyond. Though many modern composite materials are available, the use of wood primarily Ash coupled with the skilled hands of a craftsman such as Marc still provides the high performance, durability and flexibility that is required when you are operating in the toughest conditions.
Monday, 12 November, 2018
Easy Workshop Storage Project with April Wilkerson and Matt Cremona
Easy Workshop Storage Project with April Wilkerson & Matt Cremona
Tuesday, 30 October, 2018
Great British Bake Off finalist Richard Burr puts Triton Tools to the test...in the kitchen
We know Triton Tools excel in the workshop, but how do they perform in the heat of the kitchen?We teamed up with The Great British Bake Off finalist Richard Burr to find out.
View full video now! Building a Bake with Triton Tools
|
When I was on the Great British Bake Off in 2014, Mary Berry remarked how surprised she was that my builder hands were able to produce such dainty bakes. But as most builders know, working with your hands is second nature and having precision with the tools you use is particularly important.
I recently had the pleasure of working on a fun baking project with Triton Tools. Triton make woodworking tools – chisels, planes, drills, sanders and the like. They asked me to make a tool box cake, simple enough. However, they asked me to make it using woodworking tools. Now, as a builder, I am very familiar with the tools of my trade and what constitutes appropriate use for them. So, armed with my trusty pencil, an orbital sander and the all-important can-do attitude I set to work.
I’m in the middle of rebuilding my own kitchen, and Triton’s tools have come in so useful for this. As my home kitchen is a work in progress, we were filming across the road in my parents’ house this time, in the kitchen where I learned to cook years ago. My Dad and I built a new kitchen here recently, so gone is all the evidence of my youthful cooking disasters including (but not limited to) pan burns in the lino, burn marks on the ceiling, gouges in the worktops, and one broken window. Sorry Mum!
If you’re going to construct something out of food, gingerbread is a good place to start. Not only is it strong, stable and easy to shape, but when made correctly it is delicious – especially if you have a good supply of tea for dunking. Sticking with the ginger theme, I made a ginger sponge cake to line the toolbox.
I used a Triton cordless electric drill to whisk the cake mix but fitted it with a balloon whisk attachment. This was the first time I’d mixed a cake with a cordless drill but it worked so well I might end up keeping one in the kitchen permanently.
With the sponge in the oven, it was time for the main event – the gingerbread. No matter the time of year, as soon as I smell gingerbread in a kitchen it makes me think of Christmas. The gingerbread recipe in my book, B.I.Y. Bake It Yourself, is perfect for building bakes – it’s both delicious and stable.
I always roll my gingerbread out on a piece of parchment paper to about 3mm thick – the thickness of a pound coin. For this Triton project, I pre-made templates for the box and the tools and dusted them with flour, so they didn’t stick to the raw gingerbread. Once the shapes were cut and in the oven it was time to get the kettle on again – baking is always thirsty work! My top tip for gingerbread construction: half way through the bake, take the gingerbread out of the oven, put the templates back over them and cut away any gingerbread that has expanded beyond their original shapes. Then pop them back in the oven and finish baking.
When the gingerbread had cooled, Triton’s gear came into play. I set the toolbox pieces in a massive Triton SuperJaws vice and set to smoothing off the edges. For this I used an orbital sander, like all bakers should! Seriously – the fine, straight edge an orbital sander gives to a piece of gingerbread is astonishing! If I’d had one of those in the tent I would have been a happy man. I used the Triton orbital sander again at work today to sand some oak worktops and I can assure you the saw dust wasn’t as tasty this time around. The sides of the toolbox were designed to slot together so with my gingerbread still clamped I used my sharp chisels to tidy up the interlocking parts.
Once I had built the body of the box I reinforced it with a little royal icing – mixed up using my balloon whisk and drill combo again – and left it to set while I decorated my gingerbread tools. The easiest way to decorate gingerbread (or any biscuits) is using the flooding technique. To do this, I pipe the outline of each tool, along with a little detail and leave the icing to dry for 10 minutes – the exact time it takes to make and drink another cup of tea. Once the icing had set, I flooded the biscuits. I made some more icing and coloured it. This icing needs to be a looser mix that will flow when piped. I piped this directly on to the gingerbread tools and it sets with a smooth glossy surface. With the edible tools now set aside to dry I could crack on with my toolbox.
The ginger sponge I made at the start of the day had well and truly cooled so it was its turn to go into the Triton vice for cutting to shape, which now seems like a perfectly normal thing to do with a sponge cake! I used a tape to measure the inside dimensions of the toolbox and marked them on the sponge. Using a Triton handheld oscillating saw I cut the sponge exactly to size. Honestly, I don’t reckon I’ll ever need a knife in the kitchen again! I laid the sponge in the toolbox box with some ginger buttercream and filled it with the gingerbread tools. The final touch was slotting the rice-crispie and marshmallow handle through the toolbox holes and we are done. Without a doubt, the most precise baking job I’ve completed in a while – thanks Triton!
Saturday, 20 October, 2018
Triton goes BOOM!
We visited BOOM Festival in Portugal to see how Daniel Popper and team used the Triton Range to create his 12-metre tall wooden masterpiece ‘Emergence’.Creative Director /Lead artist : Daniel Popper Crew: Brett Blake, Marinus Kriek, Brian Tompkins, Robert Bernicchi, Samuel Murgatroyd, Daniel Graham Projection mapping : Wayne Ellis Check out Daniel Popper's other work: http://www.danielpopper.com/
Thursday, 10 August, 2017
Woodworking Book Review - Joinery by the Editors of Fine Woodworking
The editors at Fine Woodworking have a reputation for delivering great information - well-presented and backed up by real expertise. so if you pick up one of their volumes, you expect it to be right on the money and this one is no exception. compiled form a series of articles previously published on the magazine, this is a collection of joinery techniques from the most basic to some seriously advanced stuff.
Some people may worry that a publication that placed emphasis on hand tool work might be setting them up to fail (I have heard on more than once occasion it can be like watching a historical re-enactment rather than modern woodworking techniques!), but this book presents joinery techniques for both hand and power tools in equal measure.
As for the layout of the book, it starts with straightforward rabbet, dowel and pocket hole joints, and gradually turn the screw to introduce increasingly more complex techniques that may take a while to master. I like the fact that attention to details on simple joints is taken seriously, so even if this is your first attempt, critical, straightforward instructions have not been glossed over. There is also no attempt to knock the use of machined joints such as biscuits joints, which for some purists have no place.
One section I think makes brilliant reading is the 'shoot out' test, where the editors have worked with a testing lab to evaluate the structural strength of a range of joints under a standard load test. The results may surprise you! I'm not going to offer a spoiler a this point, suffice to say that some of the most popular fast jointing systems didn't stand up to the test nearly as well as many of the more traditional shop-made joints. Sure, they are quick to carry out, and may well be sufficient for the needs of the piece envisaged, but you can't always know how something might be treated long term. It makes a good read anyhow.Several people we interviewed for the blog and Triton YouTube channel in the past told us that no matter how good you get, covering up your mistakes has a vital part to play in getting better results. This book has a great section on correcting common mistakes as well as lots of advice on how to avoid them in the first place. So if you are jsut starting out or want to improve your craft with anew challenge, this book is a great investment. Sure, you can watch a video on YouTube, but there is something very satisfying about quality book (with no annoying adverts) that you can read at your own place.
Joinery by Editos of Fine Woodworking is published by Taunton Press ASBN 978-1-63186-448-3
Tuesday, 20 June, 2017
Best of the Woodworking web - How to build a strip canoe
‘Wood stuff, boat stuff, other stuff’ is where creator of A Guy Doing Stuff stands for.
In 2015 Adam built his first canoe, as a perfectionist he was really unhappy with his first attempt that had flaws and was undocumented.
With the idea of making fast paced, instructional video series he successfully started a YouTube channel which now includes the 18-video series about the 8 month canoe project. Although, keep an eye on Adams channel for more projects to follow as he loves presenting big woodworking projects in a way that shows they are accessible to the average person that wants to make something amazing.
To see more of Adams work check out his instagram https://www.instagram.com/aguydoingstuff/
Wednesday, 3 May, 2017
How to make a classic bookcase - A Woodworkers Journal project
Last year Triton challenged the team at Woodworkers Journal to come up with a project to show off the versatility and accuracy of the TWX7 Workcentre. They didn’t disappoint with a great project build and plans set for a classic Tool Chest if you missed that post catch it here. Tool Chest Project
This time round the challenge is a little different; we wanted the team to show how you could make a quality piece of furniture with a greatly reduced set of power tools. If your relatively new to woodworking and haven’t yet committed to a table saw or simply don’t have room for one in your workspace, can you still make a great project that will be something to shout about?
Well Chris Marshall picked up the challenge and using a Track saw, a Router and Triton's Dowel Jointer and came up a classic bookcase made from regular dimensional timber that would look great in any home.
You can down load the full plans for this project at this link Book Case plans
Monday, 20 March, 2017
How to make eye catching wooden sunglasses
In previous posts we have met the team at InBo in France and seen their process to make both bamboo bikes and high performance long boards. If you missed any of those check out the links below (or search #Mastersofwood for all our related content).In this post we see the other quality product line they have developed custom wooden eyewear. From selecting and preparing the stock to the finished article they are concentrating on comfort and style. There are some specialist tools in the process but the principles behind it are making each step accurate and repeatable with the use of bespoke jigs, which is not uncommon for many woodworkers.
Original InBo Interview
InBo Bamboo Bikes
InBo Long boards
Monday, 20 February, 2017
Meet the Period Craftsman, Freddy Roman
In this illustrated audio interview I was particularly interested to hear what attracts a young man to work with old furniture within his restoration business, whilst still being attracted to modern design albeit with his signature touches. I could summarize it by saying an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship but you judge for yourself by listening to Freddy in his own words.
Be sure to check out some of Freddy’s work at his websitewww.periodcraftsmen.com or follow him on Instagram periodcraftsmen.
Friday, 3 February, 2017
All LADS together
We have talked about the great work that the Mens Sheds movement is making on the blog a couple of time previously, on occasion we get to meet some of the shedders and see what they are working on . When we had an invite from the LADS (Littlehampton and District Sheds) telling us about their renovated premises in an old ship yard in Sussex England it sounded too good to miss. So on a chilly January morning we met up with the shedders who told us about the two sheds in their district and their project to renovate what had become a fairly run down storehouse, into a place where they can meet and work together on community projects. There is a real mix of skills here like most sheds we visit, from people who have never picked up a tool to retired craftspeople and tradesmen. If you want to learn new skills and get involved you can, but if you want a place to meet up with new mates drink plenty of tea and a chance to have a natter about things with a common interest this is a great place to start. This is the short film we made with the LADS many thanks to them for sharing their stories as well as a great cup of tea and bagels!
Triton is the official tool suppliers for the UKMSA. You can find out a lot more about the UK Mens Sheds association and advice about starting a shed in your area at their website.
Friday, 13 January, 2017
Best original woodworking content of 2016
At the end of the year we wanted to share a review of some of the best original content from the Triton blog of 2016. It’s been a busy year for us filming in Europe and the USA to bring you stories about woodworkers and their lives, as well as sharing tips, ideas and book reviews. If you have any ideas for new content you would like us to produce in 2017 please do get in touch or leave a comment and thanks for connecting with us this year.
Timber Mountain Men Colorado A beautiful film in a stunning location high in the mountains above Colorado springs. PeytonHigh School Woods Program. A community determined to offer great vocational education brings disused buildings back to life with the support of awesome volunteers.
Aprils Paintcabinet. Triton Brand Champion April Wilkerson shows you how to make a mobile paint cabinet for the workshop.
Makingspace, we visit the Dallas Makerspace an outstanding organisation giving people the opportunity to make and create together.
Architecturalmodel maker Charlie Palmer talks about the craft of putting a city block on your desktop
Marc Besniera craftsman whose business Au Fil Du Bois makes quality wooden sleds and dog carriages
In August we returned to catch up with Ben Crowe at Crimson guitars two years on from our initial visit to find a very different business and a happy guitar maker on great form.
Towards the end of the year we introduced our latest Brand Champion Matt Cremona from Minnesota USA with an insight into the man as well as some additional films made together with April Wilkerson. We will be seeing a lot more of both Matt and April in 2017.
Keep up with all our activity supporting the woodworking community by following us on Instagram , Facebook YouTube and Twitter and by following our blog here on the Triton Tools website.
Monday, 9 January, 2017
Setting up a hand plane with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
Using a properly set up hand plane is a really satisfying thing to do. A gentle hiss as it glides across your board and wafer thin curly shavings fall to the floor. But if you don’t set it up properly or have a blunt blade installed it’s a very different story of frustration, chattering blades and damaged boards. If you have just got your hands on a fancy brand new plane or want to breathe life into an older vintage model you have to set the thing up properly before use. In this film Triton brand champions Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson look at the process of setting up and tuning a hand plane.Tuesday, 3 January, 2017
Sharpening tips with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
Using really sharp tools is a great idea when your woodworking, it produces better results is really satisfying and is inherently safer as you apply less pressure and have more control with a sharp edge, this should not be a revelation to most of our readers. But just what is the best way to get a really good edge on your tools? There are complete books on sharpening and guys who make a living from going round shows demonstrating techniques and selling all kinds of jigs and tools to make the job easier or more accurate. In reality the process is relatively simple and the tools you use are a lot more to do with personal preference and the size of your pocket book than anything else. In this film Triton brand champions Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson look at the basics of sharpening a chisel and how that can be applied to many other tools. Check out Matt’s top tip for keeping an edge on your tools and avoid sharpening altogether.Friday, 16 December, 2016
Woodworking Book Review : Tiny Boxes 10 Skill Building Box Projects By Doug Stowe
For lots of woodworkers making boxes is a great way to develop their skills of design and practical technique. They are terrific for extending your woodworking repertoire as well as providing a ready source of gifts or useful storage places for all those bits and pieces we tend to hold onto “just in case”. There are quite a few books out there to help with this so is this one worth the dollars?First up Doug Stowe writes great copy, it’s easy to read and to understand what he is getting at. Often design sections of these books can get a bit too wordy, a bit artsy if you know what I mean. In this book Doug is straight forward about what he likes and how it’s achieved. The basic layout of the book is simple. Ten projects each require a slightly higher level of skill to achieve. They are all set out in a logical order, an introduction to each box and some discussion on its form and design. Simple to follow instructions on how to make the box together with some tips for variations on the theme, are supported with some good photography as well as excellent sketch illustrations.
The projects here are as the title suggests small scale so you don’t have to have a lot of shop space or invest in great quantities of expensive stock to make them. To complete everything though you would need a well-equipped shop (Band saw, Router table, Lathe) but Doug offers plenty of tips on how to achieve results with a less sophisticated arsenal. There is a great section on creating some custom inlay and I particularly liked the section on creating tiny versions of the classic bentwood box.
If you want to take on a real challenge the final box in the set is a Japanese puzzle box. This not only looks amazing it’s a fiendishly clever and would be a very satisfying thing to produce and show off to your pals. As with most quality woodworking books there are hints and tips throughout and plenty of “that’s a great idea” moments thrown in.
So back to my original question is it worth the dollars? In short yes, it’s a good book to browse and a great book to work from, progressively building up your skills. For the experienced woodworker there are some challenges to overcome as you are operating at the smaller end of the scale. For the novice it’s a great way to improve your skills and have inspiring projects to work towards.
Tiny Boxes . . . 10 Skill Building Box Projects by Doug Stowe is available from thegmcgroup.com and other retailers online. ISBN-978-1-63186-447-6
Friday, 9 December, 2016
A Guide to Milled Timber with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
As your woodworking journey progresses, most people shift from using highly stable man made board for their projects; to more decorative and satisfying to work with natural timbers.
Understanding the grain direction in a board makes a huge difference to both the structural properties of your projects and how they will look when finished. You also need to figure out how the board may move over time, given that natural timber never really stops reacting to the environment it’s in.
Triton Brand Champion Matt Cremona talks to April Wilkerson about the terms associated with milled timber, and how to take account of the properties it can exhibit over time.
Friday, 2 December, 2016
How to “read a tree” with Matt Cremona and April Wilkerson
Many woodworkers actively seek out timber with interesting or decorative grain patterns for their work. For most of us that means a hunt through the slabs already cut in the timber yard to find the perfect piece to work with. However for Triton Brand Champion, Matt Cremona searching for interesting figure in timber starts by understanding how trees grow and the forces at work to shape their internal structures. In this film Matt talks to April Wilkerson about the process of reading a tree as it stands to understand the hidden treasures within.Friday, 18 November, 2016
In conversation with Matt Cremona
Matt Cremona is an emerging star from the rapidly-growing community of craft professionals who generate at least part of their income from sharing knowledge and skills online to encourage the next generation of woodworkers.
Where Matt differs from most however, is his unique enthusiasm and experience of taking his work all the way from milling his own locally-salvaged timber, to creating fine furniture and other projects. Matt shares his work via his weekly shop updates on his YouTube channel, his website, a very active Instagram account, and regular podcasts with fellow woodworkers.
Matt’s content features not only his own work and progress on current projects but also the work of others, who send him their own project details, as inspiration for the wider community.
In this short film, Matt talks about the motivation behind his career change from software engineer to professional woodworker and communicator. Matt is working with Triton, supporting our brand champion program, providing feedback for product development, and supporting Triton with personal appearances at major trade shows and exhibitions.
Check out Matts great content on his website www.mattcremona.com and by subscribing to his channel onYouTube or follow daily progress on his projects on Instagram.
Thursday, 27 October, 2016
Woodworking Book Review; Good Clean Fun , Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop
(Dutton)
By Nick Offerman
This friend is a proper woodworker’s book. If you are deep into craft with many years of experience, you will appreciate the subtext of the writing and some of the fine details. If you have just been bitten by the woodworking bug and are still at the dreaming stage of setting up your shop, this will fire you up with enthusiasm to get on with it without delay.
What’s more, on days when you just can’t get into the shop (does that actually ever happen?) this book will fill the void with tales of daring do and sawdust from some of the coolest woodworkers in America. Nick’s style of writing is easy going and straight to the point with a satisfying seasoning of well-timed humour throughout.
After an initial and very readable introduction to essential tools and workshop set-up, there is a really good section on the properties of wood and how boards are cut. Doesn’t sound like much, but if you are new to the ways of the saw; this is devilishly useful info when you want to sound convincing at the lumber yard.
Now the main event of this very readable volume is an introduction to a cast of fine woodworking folks who share an absolute passion for making stuff; and have crossed paths with Nick and his studio over time. Firstly, each of these twenty characters is introduced in a very readable preamble which gives you a flavour of their own particular brand of wood fever. Secondly, you get some delightful projects presented by their makers and some pretty detailed instructions; some accompanied with great illustrations to help you make them if you choose to take up the challenge. Some are complex and require serious time and skill, but you can start with a small but beautifully detailed kazoo, and who wouldn’t want one of those?Throughout the book are some beautiful images. ‘Wood Porn’ is a fair description as well as some original pop art and illustrations. There is a smattering of side articles on subjects as diverse as beard culture and workshop fashion; all presented with the level of irreverence and smart humour that are the hallmarks of this really great book. Undoubtedly this is a terrific book with some great original projects to pick up, either to do or to dream about making in your own fashion. But more than that, it sets out in print what the modern world of woodworking or making with wood is about. It’s a kick back at conformity and the mass produced in favour of creativity and rediscovery of craft skills. Not just for those lucky enough to make their living from working with wood, but for the millions of us who enjoy freedom of expression made real by our own hands.
Good Clean Fun, Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop by Nick Offerman is available from thegmcgroup.com, and other retailers online. ISBN-978-1-101-98465-9.
Wednesday, 28 September, 2016
Once upon a tree; Il Etait Un Arbre.
Despite one of the founders growing up working with steel, the company have discovered the beauty that working with wood can offer- as well as offering an ecological benefit too, which was the inspiration behind creating the company. ‘Wood is a bio based material, completely renewable- we are working with a living organism and there’s a special feeling that comes with that.’
Friday, 16 September, 2016
Best of the Woodworking Web- Theres no place like here: Liberty Tool
In honour of #DIYweek our Best of the Woodworking Web post shows H.G "Skip" Brack who salvages tools from all over New England to resell at affordable prices; making DIY accessible to everyone.Through this, H.G "Skip" Brack supports his local economy and craftsmen- He salvages up to 1 and a half tons of tools each week and resells at affordable prices. 'I price things intuitively, but I do it so people can afford it. People around here aren't rich, and I'm conscious of that.'
There's No Place Like Here: Liberty Tool from Etsy on Vimeo.
Friday, 19 August, 2016
Crimson Guitars Revisited
We first visited Ben Crowe at Crimson Guitars, based in Dorset in the UK, in early 2014. At that time, Ben was pretty much flat out getting his fledgling specialist custom guitar business off the ground. His infectious mix of enthusiasm, passion for his craft and commitment to spreading the word with a relentless social media schedule was difficult to resist.
A couple of years on and this dedicated #MasterofWood has grown his business making guitars and a line of specialist luthiers tools for building and repairing string instruments. He also trains and educates his growing team of talented luthiers and apprentices, plus the wider fan base that follow him on YouTube.
We thought it was time to catch up again with Ben and see where Crimson Guitars have got to two years on. The transformation is truly impressive.
If you missed the original post catch it here Crimson Guitars March 2014
Wednesday, 10 August, 2016
Best of the WoodWorking Web- Natural Goods
Our Best of The Woodworking Web post tells the story of Luca Bressan, a designer born by The Dolomites; a mountain range located in north-eastern Italy. His love for the ocean and wildlife created a 'cultural clash' between forest and saltiness. This short documentary by Marco Mucig 'Natural Goods' showcases Luca's passion for creating high performance surfboards using the best from nature. His idea of building surfboards and living in the mountains might sound crazy, but when Luca found out that madness was possible, the world became a different place. His background as a product designer, growing up around nature and his innovative eye made his passion for surf shaping incredibly natural to allow him to create uniquely crafted surfboards that no one had achieved before.For more information about Luca and his work, visit www.solosurfboards.com
Monday, 1 August, 2016
Build and heirloom tool chest, free to download project plans
Launched in 2015 the Triton TWX7 Workcentre is proving a real hit with woodworkers. Its combination of workbench, precision router table and table saw is the core of a great workshop set up. We challenged the team at Woodworkers Journal to come up with a quality project that could be completed on the Workcentre. Chris Marshall accepted that challenge and has produced this terrific project plan and accompanying video to build a quality tool chest that would look great in any workshop. You can watch the video of the project build below and download the full plans and step by step guidance from this link. Triton Tool Chest Plans
For anyone who completes this project and shares a picture of the finished piece with us via Facebook or Twitter we will send you a unique Triton care package.
Wednesday, 13 July, 2016
How to make a picture frame with no mitres
Picture frames are a regular for the woodworker. They make a great gift or quick project to add a nice touch around the home. But you don’t always have to go to the trouble of a full mitred joint. Sometimes a simple joint done well using a quality timber and well finished is all you need. In this video George Vondriska from Woodworkers Guild of America shows us how to make a simple, frame with no mitres on the Triton TWX7 Workcentre. Be sure to check out the full and extensive online library of resources at www.wwgoa.com
Thursday, 30 June, 2016
Wooden Sled Maker – Marc Besnier
Our latest Master of Wood is Marc Besnier a craftsman whose business Au Fil Du Bois is based on a beautiful hill top in Ardecshe, Southern France. Marc creates high performance dog sleds and wooden luges. Some are bespoke creations, fitted to the user’s size and weight, destined for use in the harshest sub-zero environments as a critical element of a polar expedition. Whilst the smaller luge can be seen in smart resorts across the Alps and beyond. Though many modern composite materials are available, the use of wood primarily Ash coupled with the skilled hands of a craftsman such as Marc still provides the high performance, durability and flexibility that is required when you are operating in the toughest conditions.